Getting back in touch: Part 1

Where in the world do I start? It’s been quite some time since my last blog post. I think I’m going to make this a two-part blog. Part one, is a recap of my career thus far, so that in part two, you will know why everything that is happening in my life here and now, is so awesome.

Last time I wrote, was before I moved to Indy, was busy with off season stuff and doing some traveling. Today, I can honestly say that I am "living my dream".

"Living the Dream" is such a dry, overused term, but I mean it in its entirety. Not many people can say they live everyday pursuing their dreams and making goals a reality. Facing challenges, making accomplishments, and exploring life.

I come from Miamisburg, Ohio - a city outside of Dayton with a population of about 20,000. It’s not a big city but not a one stoplight town either. My working middle class income parents raised my younger sister and I modestly, in a two story, three bedroom home. My Dad has been a machinist for 25 years and my mom is a beautician turned elementary school teacher's aide.

I've been raised with amazing guidance, tough love, eternal support and the freedom to make my own choices. Naturally, I'm a competitive spirited, goal oriented, make-things-happen kind of person. From a very young age, my parents noticed a focus beyond my years and saw a kid who loved a challenge.

At the age of 3, the training wheels were off of my bicycle. At 5, I was undefeated at my home track in my first year of racing Quarter Midgets. At 11, I began racing against adult men over twice my age. I was oblivious to the fact that I was probably only 90lbs, a 6th grade cheerleader and was competing competitively (and I don't mean putting around) on dirt tracks up to nearly a half mile in length, reaching speeds 100+mph.

In 2006, my family took the last leap financially possible and moved up to USAC Ford Focus Midgets. A premier "affordable" spec series under the historical banner of USAC was sure to give us the exposure and competition needed to get the break I wanted.

I finished fifth in points as a rookie, had the most heat race wins (five), fifteen top-tens, two top-fives, a podium and the highest ranked female in the Midwest. I was named Dayton Auto Race Fans Asphalt Driver of the Year, graduated Lyn St. James’ Driver Development program where I received the Kara Hendrick Memorial Scholarship Award for outstanding performance and was a recipient of the PitFit Training Scholarship.

2007 rolled around, and we didn't race a single race. The funds were bone dry and we didn't get any sponsors on board. Before I knew it, I had graduated from high school and was heading to Charlotte, North Carolina for my first year of college at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

While in school, I made connections and did the best I could to secure something for the 2008. Worked at Richard Petty Driving Experience and Best Impressions Catering. The plan was to race a Dirt Super Late Model for the entire season and it ended up falling through-maybe I’ll write a side blog on this one. We were supposed to run a few Sprint Car races too which ended up falling through as well.. So I got an opportunity from owner Jerry Wald of Chicago to race 4 Dirt Super Late Model races at Kamp Motor Speedway in Boswell, Indiana. (Special thanks to Jerry, John and crew)

So, long story short - 2007 and 2008 ended up being bad years for us. I decided that I would take 2009 year off school and focus on getting myself back on the map and finding funding for racing.

In 2009, I raced 3 USAC Ford Focus Midget races. In my first race back in 2 years, I finished 3^rd after racing my way up from the back of the pack.

After the season, I decided I was going to move to Indianapolis to be “where it’s at”! As usual, when I put my mind to something, I make it happen. So where we end up, is here, right now in Speedway, Indiana.

I’ve secured a Partnership for this race season with www.GlassHammerRacing.com and have done 4 USAC Regional Midget races driving for Bob East. I raced three nights at Speedrome and finished 7^th, 4^th, and 3^rd as well as a heat race win. Then, I finished 2^nd Plymouth in my most recent race at the end of July!

So next blog up…is going to be more interesting, I hope. :)

Leaving you with this for now:

Never, never, never give up. Live by NinTai.

<3shann